Fall Calendar

The online google calendar is now updated for the fall term (Labor Day to Jan 1). Watch carefully for group classes and put them on your calendar now. Let me know if you see any surprises or errors in what you expect for the lesson schedule.

Changes:

*each Group class with be an hour

*The order will be 5:00 Group A, 6:00 Group C, 7:00 Group B, 8:00 Group D

*Group will generally be on the last Thursday of the month, the exceptions will be the holidays.

*There will always be lessons on the same weeks a group.

Sames:

Group A = book 1 & 2, ages 5 - 9

Group B = books 1 & 2, ages 10 - 15

Group C = books 3 & 4

Group D = books 5 and +

*We will always end group with performances from whomever wants to. These are superextremelysoverycompletely casual, so that everyone is comfortable, it is always a celebration, and kids just get used to playing for each other and for people.

*We will continue our exploration, especially in the older groups, of theory (heavily camouflaged as improvisation).

Yes, Christmas concert is coming and will happen. We will have some extra sort of rehearsal in December, and the concert will be also in December. TBA.

Cheers!

Policies, Rates, etc.

Greetings families. Yes, It is time once again to talk policies and rates and things. Hereis a review of my policies and procedures.

*The year is divided into three terms. Fall (After Labor Day - Dec), Spring (January - April), and Summer (May - Labor Day).

*For Fall and Spring terms, I don't do make-up lessons. You are welcome to switch with someone if you know in advance that you have a conflict. Click on the studio calendar link to see who has lessons when, and see your email inbox for a list of everyone's phone numbers. Also people have had switching success by sending out a general email to the whole studio to ask if anyone can conveniently switch. For summer term, I will switch, or insert you in a blank spot with 24 hour notice.

* Your Fall and Spring tuition includes 13 lessons for the term (an average of 3 a month plus one extra in case of car trouble or illness since there are no make ups), and 4 group classes. It will also include events such as Celebration, Graduation, book recitals, Workshops, Federation, Summer Recital Picnic, extra group class rehearsal for the Christmas concert, and the Christmas Concert.

*Tuition can be paid monthly or by the semester in advance. Here is a chart of my monthly rates.

*It is also time once again for a small rate change. Here is the chart for rates starting for September. For those of you sending checks from your bank, remember to change the amount. Thanks!

lesson length	Early (before the start of the month)	On Time (from the beginning of the month - 20th)	Late (after the 20th of the month)
1/2 hour	95	105	110
3/4 hour	130	140	145
1 hour	165	175	180
In Alpine (reduced because of increased student numbers.)	add 10	add 10	add 10

*Checks can be placed in the manila envelopes in my studio. I also encourage you to either put post dated checks in the envelopes to help prevent forgetting to pay, or to set up your bank to send me tuition monthly.

* At my house, come on in the door when it is your lesson time. During wet weather, take shoes off and leave them on the mat. You can take your cello out of its case and wait quietly by the piano or sit on the small chaise while you wait for me to finish the previous lesson. When I have taken a final bow with the previous student, then you can come on through the room to the red couch or set your things up.

* At my parent's house, come on in to the solarium at the back of the house, and take your cello out and shoes off while you wait for the previous lesson to be over, and then come on in after the final bow.

*Practice:

I expect my students to be practicing regularly at home. Without steady, consistent practice of the things that I assign at the lesson, students' brains and muscles can not develop the skills they need to play the cello with ease and confidence. Practice should be at least as long as the lesson, and be happening at least 5 times a week, but preferably 6.

Lets have a great year progressing, learning, expressing, and growing together!